When morning came, Kagome stirred from her sleep and pushed herself up into a seated position. There was a chorus of shouts just outside her hut, and bemused by the noise, Kagome reluctantly pushed herself out of bed and over to the window. From there, she peered out, noticing a large gathering of Rito standing down below, many in midflight as they looked above the mountain.
What was happening? Deciding to dress herself into the customary garb of the Rito, she stepped over to her dresser and removed the clothing from within. The outfit was a light blue knee-length dress, with a decorative green sash tied at her waist, and brown boots just at her ankles. After accessing herself in the mirror hanging on the wall, she tied her hair back in a high ponytail before exiting the hut. As she descended the wooden steps, she couldn't help but worry that something had happened.
Once at the bottom, she looked upon the crowd of Rito conversing loudly near her. At first, she thought something terrible had transpired while she was asleep, but judging by their celebratory cheers and smiles, she was wrong. Something good must have happened, but what was it?
"Did you see? The Divine Beast has been tamed!"
"It's truly the work of that young man! I never would have believed someone like him could tame it!"
"Was he a human?"
Listening to the collection of words within the throng of people, Kagome couldn't help but whip her head upwards, her eyes quickly scanning the skies for any sign of the mechanical beast. To her surprise, it was not circling their village. What? Was all of this true? Kagome turned to the first Rito beside her, grasping her shoulder lightly. "Is it true? Was the Divine Beast tamed?"
The Rito nodded, her face brightening up enthusiastically. "Of course! It's surely a miracle!"
"I heard the elder is speaking to our hero at this very moment!" A child exclaimed elatedly.
As the people celebrated together, conversing joyously, Kagome whipped her head in the direction of the elder's hut. Without a moment's pause, she ran up the steps, following the path upwards circling the great spire. If all of this was true, then that meant they could surely go into the Divine Beast and just maybe, there was a chance he was still alive!
When Kagome finally arrived at the chieftain's hut, she stopped, catching her breath as she noticed the elder speaking with the young man within. As she waited outside, her eyes curiously eying the supposed hero, Kagome couldn't help but feel a nervousness creep into her lower belly. It was obvious she was nervous and even anxious. How had he done it? And if he was capable of piloting the beast from the skies and landing it, how did he even bypass the barrier?
"If the legends are true, the light from the Divine Beasts will ravage the Calamity. For now, Divine Beast Vah Medoh will become the protector of this village and live on in legend … alongside you," The elder exclaimed to the warrior.
The elder went on. "What you did was miraculous. Though I should expect nothing less of one from the bloodline of a Champion. Why … you are almost the equal of the very Hylian Champion who fought with Master Revali one hundred years ago. And so, we thank you, hero."
Somewhat embarrassed by his praise, Link awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. Link desired no reward for his actions, but chief Kaneli rewarded him a treasured bow of their village which he was thankful nonetheless.
After speaking with the chief, Link turned, but before he could exit the hut, he noticed a familiar woman waiting outside, her eyes anxiously looking between him and the chief. It was obvious she wanted to know what transpired, but before Link could exit and approach her, the chief spoke.
"That woman there, is the wife of Revali," He explained.
Surprised by this information, Link turned to the chief, his eyes startled before looking back at the ebony haired woman outside. A human woman had become intertwined romantically with a different species? Link wasn't against such choices in life, but this was the first he'd ever witnessed such, besides the fact he united a Gerudo woman and a Hylian man weeks before. Gerudo and Rito were of course two very different species, but he supposed there was nothing wrong with that.
The chief continued on, laughing at Link's disbelief. "I understand your surprise. It surprised us just the same when our strongest Rito secretly took a wife without telling any of us. Since that day, she's been with us ever since, a member of the Rito clan," He replied before continuing on. "You can imagine the shock its left on our clan, but she was accepted among us. However, I think I know what's drawing your curiosity, young man."
"How is she still alive, after all these years then?" Link inquired.
The chief smiled before pointing his feathered hand toward the young woman outside. "Why don't you ask her yourself?"
Understanding, Link made his way outside the hut, his blue eyes scrutinizing the woman from head to toe curiously. Just like him, she was doing the same, and to his relief, she approached him, stopping before him a short distance. There was a moment's pause between them, neither of them saying a word. It was obvious, judging by her worried expression, that something was on her mind, and Link had a feeling he knew exactly what it might be.
"I heard you tamed the Divine Beast," Kagome began, her hands folded in front of her. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to all of us," She replied, noticing a blush tinge his cheeks suddenly. "May I ask, what your name is?"
Somewhat flustered before the young woman, Link awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, a smile playing across his lips as he looked at her. "Link. And what might your name be?"
"Kagome," She replied, a smile lighting up her face just the same. Fortunately, he didn't seem like a crude person, in fact, he seemed rather pleasant and perhaps even a bit shy.
Upon hearing her name, his eyes widened slightly. So, she was Kagome? "The chief explained you are the wife of Revali," Link began, taking note of how her expression suddenly changed. "It's nice to meet you, but I am curious," He began, canting his head as he looked her up and down. "Pardon my rudeness, but, may I ask how you've lived for so long, despite the circumstances which happened one hundred years ago?" He hoped the question wouldn't trouble her, but he was curious to know about her, and he wondered if her situation was similar in any way to his.
Although it was a forward question, she didn't mind. In fact, it was something which would lead up to her own questions which she hoped to ask him. "Well, that's a bit difficult to explain. To make a long story short, this jewel," She touched the round and pink orb around her neck hanging from a decorative silver chain. "holds incredible powers, and as its guardian, I'm bound to its power. Because of this, my mortality has diminished," She explained. "It's difficult to explain the entire story without old memories resurfacing, but I hope that has answered your question."
Truthfully, he didn't understand, but it seemed there was a long story behind the jewel she wore. Either way, he knew it didn't concern him, and he smiled despite it. Whatever else he wanted to ask about the jewel, he said nothing, respecting her enough not to pry. "I see."
"No one else knows this besides the Rito. I trust you will keep it a secret…"
He nodded again. "You have my trust, Kagome. I will not mention it to anyone else."
Pleased with his response and understanding, Kagome released a breath and sighed. "There's something I wish to ask you before you leave, Link. Did …" Kagome paused mid-sentence, her eyes narrowing as images of her beloved crossed her mind. "did you see him?"
Noticing her hesitation, Link lowered his gaze. The truth was, he did see Revali within the Divine Beast, however, it was not in physical form. "I did. He's been asking for you…" Link began, catching the young woman off guard.
He was alive? Tears of joy almost flooded her vision, but she held herself back. No. Now was not the time to become sentimental. She needed to know everything.
Link continued. "Actually … I came to deliver the message to the chief, but I never realized you were the woman he spoke of…" Noticing her hopeful expression, Link became somewhat crestfallen. He had to deliver the message to her, and he knew she would become upset. "I'm afraid to inform you he is no longer of the living…"
Her expression fell. It wasn't true. Right? Had Revali lost his life in the battle long ago? It couldn't be true. "I don't understand…"
The young man rubbed his neck awkwardly. How could he explain it without coming across as rude? "I've traveled to the far corners of Hyrule, seeking out all the Divine Beasts and quelling them. Within the three I have tamed, each was infested with a creation of Calamity Ganon's," Link explained.
"The Divine Beasts were infested with evil creatures?" Kagome asked. If that was so, that certainly explained why the Divine Beast wasn't acting up today, nor was it flying above the skies around the village.
Link nodded. "Indeed. The same with Vah Medoh, Kagome. One of Calamity Ganon's creations had infested the beast, and unfortunately, Revali lost his life. The barrier which has surrounded the Divine Beast was because of that awful creation housed within. Rest assured, I've quelled the beast, and Rito Village will not suffer any after effects," He replied, and when he saw the tears cascade down her face, he couldn't help but lower his gaze. "I apologize. There was no time to save him. It was already too late…"
"No … it's not your fault. It happened so long ago. No one's at fault," She explained, trying to fight back her tears. Wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her dress, she managed to wipe them away. "You mentioned you met with Revali. How is that possible?"
"I met with his spirit above the mountain here," Link pointed and Kagome followed his gaze. "Up there, the Divine Beast sits. I was only able to speak with Revali for a short time before I climbed down the mountain to speak with the chief. He was asking for you. He says there isn't much time before he passes on, and so, he wants to talk with you before then…"